Starting your guitar journey can be incredibly exciting, and one of the best ways to stay motivated is by learning to play songs you love right away. Many beginners unfortunately give up within the first year, often because they aren’t playing real music that inspires them. That’s why this curated list of 52 Easy Songs Acoustic Guitar is designed for beginner players like you. These songs are not only fun to play but will keep you engaged and learning throughout your first year and beyond.
Your Year-Long Journey in Easy Acoustic Songs
This list of 52 songs is structured to provide you with a new, achievable goal each week for an entire year. Integrate these songs into your daily practice, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly you progress. If some songs seem a bit challenging initially, don’t worry! Bookmark them and revisit them as you build your skills with the easier ones.
The selection criteria for these songs prioritize beginner-friendliness. Most of them rely on basic open chords, which are fundamental and easier to grasp for new guitarists. Chord diagrams are included for each song to guide your finger placement.
However, don’t mistake “easy” for “boring.” This list is packed with a diverse range of rock and roll acoustic guitar songs, from upbeat anthems to slower, melodic pieces. You’ll find songs using simple three-chord progressions alongside those with seven or eight chords, offering a gradual learning curve that remains enjoyable for players of all levels.
To further enhance your learning, consider exploring the CAGED chord shapes and experimenting with triads as substitutes for full chords. This will expand your musical vocabulary and fretboard knowledge as you progress.
1. “Nutshell” – Alice in Chains
Key: Em
Chords: Em7 – G – D – Cadd9
Kicking off our list is “Nutshell” by Alice in Chains, from their Jar of Flies EP. This acoustic gem features just four chords in the key of Em. A helpful tip for beginners: the ring finger acts as a pivot point during chord changes, making the progression smoother and easier to master. This song is perfect for practicing seamless transitions between chords.
Listen: “Nutshell” – Alice In Chains
2. “Learning to Fly” – Tom Petty
Alt Text: Learning to Fly guitar chords diagram by Tom Petty, easy acoustic song for beginners.
Key: C
Chords: F – C – Am – G
“Learning to Fly,” from Tom Petty’s Into the Great Wide Open, is incredibly beginner-friendly. The chord progression of F – C – Am – G repeats throughout the entire song with minimal variations. This repetitive structure makes it one of the most accessible easy songs to learn on acoustic guitar and excellent for building chord memory.
Listen: “Learning to Fly” – Tom Petty
3. “Dead Flowers” – The Rolling Stones
Key: D
Chords: D – A – G
Simplicity at its finest, “Dead Flowers” by The Rolling Stones uses a basic 3-chord progression. What makes this song stand out for learning guitar is how much musical variety The Rolling Stones achieve with just these chords. You get a distinct verse, pre-chorus, and chorus all within this easy-to-learn framework.
Listen: “Dead Flowers” – The Rolling Stones
4. “Rockin’ In the Free World” – Neil Young
Alt Text: Rockin’ in the Free World guitar chords diagram by Neil Young, simple acoustic guitar song.
Key: Em
Chords: Em – D – C – G – A
Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World” delivers a powerful, rocking sound in the key of Em. Despite its energetic feel, it’s surprisingly easy to learn on acoustic guitar. This is a must-learn beginner song that will get your strumming hand moving and build your confidence.
Listen: “Rockin’ in the Free World” – Neil Young
5. “The Celestials” – The Smashing Pumpkins
Alt Text: The Celestials guitar chords diagram by Smashing Pumpkins, easy strumming acoustic song.
Key: Em (F#m)
Chords: Em – G – D – Cadd9 – Am
“The Celestials” by The Smashing Pumpkins is excellent for developing fundamental strumming patterns. While officially played with a capo on the 2nd fret, the chords listed here are in open forms, making it easier for beginners to play and practice their rhythm. Focus on keeping a consistent strumming tempo.
Listen: “The Celestials” – The Smashing Pumpkins
6. “Used to Love Her” – Guns N’ Roses
Key: D
Chords: D – A – G
Another incredibly easy acoustic guitar song is “Used to Love Her” by Guns N’ Roses. It shares a striking similarity with “Dead Flowers” by The Rolling Stones, using the same three open guitar chords. The chord progression has slight variations, but mastering one essentially gives you a head start on the other.
Listen: “Used to Love Her” – Guns N’ Roses
7. “One” – U2
Alt Text: One guitar chords diagram by U2, beginner acoustic guitar song.
Key: Am
Chords: Am – D – F – G – C
“One,” arguably U2’s most iconic song, is also surprisingly easy to learn on acoustic guitar. It’s a perfect choice for beginners looking for a song with emotional depth and a relatively simple chord structure. This song is great for practicing sustained chords and dynamic strumming.
Listen: “One” – U2
8. “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Alt Text: Have You Ever Seen the Rain guitar chords diagram by Creedence Clearwater Revival, easy acoustic slash chords song.
Key: C
Chords: C – Am – G – F – C/B – Am/G
“Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” by Creedence Clearwater Revival introduces a new concept for beginners: slash chords. These chords feature a bass note that is not the root of the chord itself. While seemingly complex, the slash chords in this song are manageable for beginners and add a richer harmonic texture.
Listen: “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
9. “Ho Hey” – The Lumineers
Key: C
Chords: F – C – Am – G
The Lumineers are masters of simplicity, and “Ho Hey” perfectly exemplifies this. They build a huge sound using just these 4 chords: F – C – Am – G. This song is ideal for beginner acoustic guitar players and offers opportunities to experiment with different fingerings for the F and G chords, allowing you to find what’s most comfortable.
Listen: “Ho Hey” – The Lumineers
10. “And It Stoned Me” – Van Morrison
Alt Text: And It Stoned Me guitar chords diagram by Van Morrison, five open chords acoustic song.
Key: G
Chords: G – C – D – Am – Em
From Van Morrison’s iconic Moondance album, “And It Stoned Me” is a five-chord song in the key of G major. All five chords are common open chords, making it another fantastic acoustic guitar song for beginners to add to their repertoire.
Listen: “And It Stoned Me” – Van Morrison
11. “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” – Green Day
Alt Text: Good Riddance Time of Your Life guitar chords diagram by Green Day, easy arpeggiated acoustic song.
Key: G
Chords: G – C – D – Cadd9 – Em
“Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” from Green Day’s Nimrod album is a classic for acoustic guitar. While the song begins with arpeggiated chords (playing notes of the chord individually), it sounds equally beautiful when strummed. This versatility makes it a great learning piece for beginners.
Listen: “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” – Green Day
12. “Sweet Jane” – The Velvet Underground
Alt Text: Sweet Jane guitar chords diagram by Velvet Underground, acoustic strumming song.
Key: D
Chords: D – A – G – Bm – C#m – G# – E – B
Don’t be intimidated by the number of chords in The Velvet Underground’s “Sweet Jane.” While it has a few more chords than some songs on this list, the strumming pattern is what makes it engaging and fun to play. However, be aware that it includes barre chords, which can be tiring for new players initially, but great practice for building finger strength.
Listen: “Sweet Jane” – The Velvet Underground
13. “I Remember You” – Skid Row
Alt Text: I Remember You guitar chords diagram by Skid Row, acoustic ballad beginner song.
Key: G
Chords: G – Cadd9 – D – C – Em
“I Remember You,” Skid Row’s power ballad, translates beautifully to acoustic guitar. The chords are mostly strummed, offering opportunities to introduce embellishments between chord changes as you become more comfortable. Try adding hammer-ons or pull-offs to spice it up once you master the basic chords.
Listen: “I Remember You” – Skid Row
14. “Mother” – Pink Floyd
Key: G
Chords: G – C – D – F
“Mother” from Pink Floyd’s epic The Wall is built on a simple chord progression in the key of G. The challenge for beginners in this song lies in the strumming pattern, which has a unique rhythmic intricacy. Pay close attention to the timing and rhythm of the strumming to capture the song’s feel.
Listen: “Mother” – Pink Floyd
15. “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” – Bob Dylan
Alt Text: Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door guitar chords diagram by Bob Dylan, classic beginner acoustic song.
Key: G
Chords: G – C – D – Am
“Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” is a timeless classic and incredibly perfect for beginner acoustic guitar players. Its straightforward chord progression and iconic melody make it instantly recognizable and rewarding to learn. It’s a song every guitarist should know.
Listen: “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” – Bob Dylan
16. “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” – R.E.M.
Alt Text: Whats the Frequency Kenneth guitar chords diagram by REM, energetic easy acoustic song.
Key: A
Chords: D – A – G – Bm – E
This four-chord song from R.E.M. “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” has a fantastic energy and is genuinely fun to play on acoustic guitar. Despite its upbeat tempo, the chords are easy to grasp, making it a great song to practice strumming faster chord changes.
Listen: “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” – R.E.M
17. “Sweet Home Alabama” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Key: D
Chords: G – C – D – F
“Sweet Home Alabama,” a Southern rock anthem from Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Second Helping album, is built primarily on a simple three-chord progression. It’s a very approachable song for beginners. The opening riff uses a Cadd9 chord, but strumming a standard C major chord works perfectly well for beginners focusing on strumming along.
Listen: “Sweet Home Alabama” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
18. “Wild Horses” – The Rolling Stones
Alt Text: Wild Horses guitar chords diagram by The Rolling Stones, classic acoustic song for guitarists.
Key: G
Chords: Am – G – C – D – Bm – F
“Wild Horses,” a favorite from The Rolling Stones’ Sticky Fingers album (1971), is a classic ballad every guitarist will eventually want to learn. While it introduces a few more chords than some beginner songs, the slow tempo and beautiful melody make it manageable and rewarding to learn on acoustic guitar.
Listen: “Wild Horses” – The Rolling Stones
19. “No Rain” – Blind Melon
Alt Text: No Rain guitar chords diagram by Blind Melon, 90s acoustic hit song.
Key: E
Chords: E – A – G – D – E7
Blind Melon’s “No Rain” emerged during the alternative and grunge explosion of the early 90s. It’s mainly a four-chord song, with an E7 chord adding a touch of color. The song has a distinctive groove that’s incredibly enjoyable to strum on acoustic guitar and a great introduction to 90s acoustic rock.
Listen: “No Rain” – Blind Melon
20. “Summer of 69” – Bryan Adams
Alt Text: Summer of 69 guitar chord diagrams by Bryan Adams, rock acoustic song.
Key: D
Chords: D – A – G – Bm – F#m – B♭ – C
While often played on electric guitar, “Summer of ’69” by Bryan Adams rocks just as hard on acoustic. It’s a high-energy song that’s simply loads of fun to play and sing along to. It introduces a few more chords, offering a slight step up in challenge while remaining accessible for determined beginners.
Listen: “Summer of 69” – Bryan Adams
21. “Cover Me” – Candlebox
Key: Em
Chords: Em – G – D – Cadd9
“Cover Me” from Candlebox’s debut album is a fantastic acoustic song for those just starting out. The strumming pattern is quite basic, and the tempo is perfect for practicing smooth chord changes. Focus on clean transitions between chords at a comfortable pace.
Listen: “Cover Me” – Candlebox
22. “Brown Eyed Girl” – Van Morrison
Alt Text: Brown Eyed Girl guitar chords diagram by Van Morrison, uptempo acoustic song beginner.
Key: G
Chords: G – C – D – Em – D7
The second Van Morrison song on our list, “Brown Eyed Girl,” is another upbeat and easy acoustic guitar song that’s simply a joy to strum. Its cheerful vibe and simple chord progression make it a perfect song to brighten your practice sessions.
Listen: “Brown Eyed Girl” – Van Morrison
23. “Mr. Tambourine Man” – Bob Dylan
Key: G
Chords: G – A – D – Dsus2
“Mr. Tambourine Man,” another Bob Dylan classic, is played with a capo on the 3rd fret. The chords listed are open form shapes relative to the capo. This song is a great addition to any list of easy acoustic songs to learn and introduces the concept of using a capo to change keys.
Listen: “Mr. Tambourine” – Bob Dylan
24. “Mr. Jones” – Counting Crows
Alt Text: Mr. Jones guitar chords diagram by Counting Crows, breakout acoustic song.
Key: Am
Chords: Am – F – Dm – G – C
“Mr. Jones,” the breakthrough hit from Counting Crows’ August and Everything After debut album, is an excellent song for beginner guitar players to learn. Its catchy melody and moderate tempo make it satisfying to play and sing along with.
Listen: “Mr. Jones” – Counting Crows
25. “Tangerine” – Led Zeppelin
Alt Text: Tangerine guitar chords diagram by Led Zeppelin, easy sus chords acoustic song.
Key: Am
Chords: Am – G – C – D – Dsus2 – Dsus4 – Asus2 – Asus4
Led Zeppelin might not be the first band that comes to mind for easy guitar songs, but “Tangerine” is an exception. This acoustic gem is beginner-friendly and serves as a fantastic introduction to sus2/sus4 chords. These suspended chords add a beautiful, unresolved quality to the song.
Listen: “Tangerine” – Led Zeppelin
26. “Bad Moon Rising” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Key: D
Chords: D – A – G
Just three chords are needed for “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival. This song perfectly demonstrates that complex chord progressions aren’t necessary to create a timeless hit. Its upbeat tempo and simple structure make it ideal for practicing rhythm and strumming.
Listen: “Bad Moon Rising” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
27. “Into the Mystic” – Van Morrison
Alt Text: Into the Mystic guitar chords diagram by Van Morrison, capo acoustic song.
Key: E♭
Chords: C – G – Em – F
Another Van Morrison classic from the Moondance album, “Into the Mystic,” uses a capo on the 3rd fret. The chords provided are open chords relative to the capo. This song is perfect for practicing fingerpicking patterns in addition to strumming, adding another layer to your beginner skills.
Listen: “Into the Mystic” – Van Morrison
28. “Wish You Were Here” – Pink Floyd
Alt Text: Wish You Were Here guitar chords diagram by Pink Floyd, easy chord names acoustic song.
Key: G
Chords: Em7 – A7sus4 – G – D – C – Am
Chord names like A7sus4 in “Wish You Were Here” might look intimidating initially, but don’t let them scare you away. Despite the fancy names, these chords are all very easy to play. This iconic Pink Floyd song is more accessible than it seems and a rewarding piece to learn early on.
Listen: “Wish You Were Here” – Pink Floyd
29. “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” – Tom Petty
Alt Text: Mary Janes Last Dance guitar chords diagram by Tom Petty, dynamic strumming acoustic song.
Key: Am
Chords: Am – G – D – Em7 – A
Tom Petty’s “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” provides excellent opportunities to explore dynamic strumming on acoustic guitar. Experiment with varying your strumming intensity to match the song’s dynamics and add your personal touch.
Listen: “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” – Tom Petty
30. “Wonderwall” – Oasis
Alt Text: Wonderwall guitar chords diagram by Oasis, strumming techniques acoustic song.
Key: Em
Chords: Em – G – D – A – C
“Wonderwall,” from Oasis’s (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? album, is a 90s anthem that sounds fantastic on acoustic guitar. This song offers a chance to delve into different strumming techniques. Listen closely to the original recording to capture the nuances of the rhythm and strumming patterns.
Listen: “Wonderwall” – Oasis
31. “The Times They are A-Changin’” – Bob Dylan
Alt Text: The Times They Are A Changin guitar chords diagram by Bob Dylan, songwriting acoustic song.
Key: G
Chords: Em – G – Am – D – C
You could easily create an entire list of easy acoustic songs for beginners using just Bob Dylan’s catalog. “The Times They Are A-Changin'” is another exceptional song from one of history’s greatest songwriters. Its simple yet powerful message and easy chords make it a meaningful song to learn early in your guitar journey.
Listen: “The Times They Are A Changin’” – Bob Dylan
32. “When I Come Around” – Green Day
Alt Text: When I Come Around chord diagrams by Green Day, power chords acoustic song.
Key: G
Chords: G – D – Em – C – Am
One of Green Day’s biggest hits, “When I Come Around” from their Dookie album, is easily adaptable to acoustic guitar. While often played with power chords on electric guitar, these chords are presented here in open chord positions, making it beginner-friendly while retaining its catchy energy.
Listen: “When I Come Around” – Green Days
33. “Buddy Holly” – Weezer
Alt Text: Buddy Holly guitar chord diagrams by Weezer, 90s alternative acoustic song.
Key: F#m
Chords: G# – A – D – Dm – F#m – E – C#m
“Buddy Holly,” the song that launched Weezer into mainstream success from their 1994 debut album Weezer (the Blue Album), is surprisingly fun and manageable on acoustic guitar. While it has a few more chords, the tempo and strumming are straightforward, making it a rewarding challenge for progressing beginners.
Listen: “Buddy Holly” – Weezer
34. “What’s Up?” – 4 Non Blondes
Key: A
Chords: A – Bm – D
Another easy three-chord song, “What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes, was a massive hit from their 1992 debut album, Bigger, Better, Faster, More!. Its powerful vocals and simple acoustic arrangement make it a perfect sing-along song for beginners to learn.
Listen: “What’s Up?” – 4 Non Blondes
35. “I Won’t Back Down” – Tom Petty
Alt Text: I Wont Back Down guitar chords diagram by Tom Petty, American anthem acoustic song.
Key: G
Chords: Em – D – G – C
Released in 1989, Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” has become a beloved American anthem. Like Bob Dylan, Petty was a master songwriter who crafted timeless songs using deceptively simple chord progressions. This song’s message of resilience and its easy chords make it inspiring to learn.
Listen: “I Won’t Back Down” – Tom Petty
36. “Small Town” – John Mellencamp
Key: G
Chords: G – D – C – Am
“Small Town,” an upbeat classic from John Mellencamp, has been a long-time favorite. Its driving rhythm and relatable lyrics, combined with easy-to-play chords, make it a great song to practice strumming and keeping a steady tempo on acoustic guitar.
Listen: “Small Town” – John Mellencamp
37. “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” – Poison
Alt Text: Every Rose Has Its Thorn guitar chords diagram by Poison, 80s power ballad acoustic song.
Key: G
Chords: G – Cadd9 – D – C – Em
“Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” Poison’s signature 80s power ballad, is surprisingly straightforward on acoustic guitar. It features a simple strumming pattern and uses common open chords. It truly doesn’t get much easier than this for a classic power ballad.
Listen: “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” – Poison
38. “About a Girl” – Nirvana
Alt Text: About a Girl guitar chords diagram by Nirvana, grunge acoustic beginner song.
Key: Em
Chords: Em – G – C – C#/G# – F# – A – C
Nirvana’s “About A Girl” comes from their first album, Bleach, often overshadowed by Nevermind. While the chord list might appear lengthy at first glance, it’s not a complicated song to play on acoustic guitar once you break it down. The chord changes are relatively slow and manageable for beginners.
Listen: “About A Girl” – Nirvana
39. “Disarm” – The Smashing Pumpkins
Alt Text: Disarm guitar chords diagram by Smashing Pumpkins, tricky progression acoustic song.
Key: Em
Chords: Em7 – Cadd9 – G – Dsus4/F# – D – Em
“Disarm,” from The Smashing Pumpkins’ Siamese Dream album, has chords that are quite straightforward individually. However, the chord progression can be a little tricky to memorize and get smooth at first. Practice the transitions slowly and gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable with the changes.
Listen: “Disarm” – The Smashing Pumpkins
40. “Two Steps Behind” – Def Leppard
Alt Text: Two Steps Behind guitar chords diagram by Def Leppard, acoustic ballad easy chords.
Key: A
Chords: A – D – G – E – F#m
“Two Steps Behind” is a beautiful acoustic song by Def Leppard. There’s nothing overly complicated here; just a simple and effective chord progression that’s easy for beginners to pick up and play. It’s a great song for practicing smooth chord transitions in a ballad tempo.
Listen: “Two Steps Behind – Def Leppard
41. “Run-Around” – Blues Traveler
Key: G
Chords: G – C – Am – D
“Run-Around” comes from Blues Traveler’s album Four. It’s an upbeat and easy song that’s excellent for working on faster chord changes. The tempo is brisk, so start slowly and gradually increase your speed as your fingers become more agile with the chord transitions.
Listen: “Run-Around” – Blues Traveler
42. “Free Fallin’” – Tom Petty
Alt Text: Free Fallin guitar chords diagram by Tom Petty, iconic easy acoustic song.
Key: F (capo on 3rd fret)
Chords: D – A – Dsus4 – E
“Free Fallin’,” one of Tom Petty’s all-time greatest songs from his Full Moon Fever album, uses a capo on the 3rd fret. Like many of Petty’s hits, it’s built on a simple chord progression that creates an unforgettable song that’s also easy to play on acoustic guitar.
Listen: “Free Fallin’” – Tom Petty
43. “Comfortably Numb” – Pink Floyd
Alt Text: Comfortably Numb guitar chords diagram by Pink Floyd, slow tempo acoustic song.
Key: Bm
Chords: Bm – A – G – Em – D – A – C
The second Pink Floyd song from The Wall on our list is “Comfortably Numb.” Guitar solos aside, the slow tempo and extensive use of open chords make this song surprisingly easy for beginner guitar players to learn on acoustic guitar. Focus on smooth, deliberate chord changes to capture the song’s atmosphere.
Listen: “Comfortably Numb” – Pink Floyd
44. “Love Me Do” – The Beatles
Key: G
Chords: G – C – D
For beginner guitar players, it truly doesn’t get much easier than “Love Me Do” by The Beatles. This early Beatles hit is built on just three chords and is incredibly iconic and recognizable. It’s a foundational song for any aspiring guitarist.
Listen: “Love Me Do” – The Beatles
45. “Seven Turns” – The Allman Brothers Band
Alt Text: Seven Turns guitar chords diagram by The Allman Brothers Band, beginner friendly acoustic song.
Key: G
Chords: C – G – Em – D – C/B
While The Allman Brothers Band is known for complex instrumentals, “Seven Turns” is an exception and perfectly suitable for an easy guitar songs list. This song is well within reach for beginner guitar players and a great introduction to learning songs from The Allman Brothers Band early in your playing journey.
Listen: “Seven Turns” – The Allman Brother Band
46. “Rain King” – Counting Crows
Alt Text: Rain King guitar chords diagram by Counting Crows, uptempo chord changes acoustic song.
Key: D
Chords: D – A – Bm – G – E
“Rain King,” another fantastic song from the album August and Everything After, is an upbeat track that’s excellent for practicing chord changes on acoustic guitar. The tempo is lively, so focus on clean and efficient transitions between the chords to keep up with the rhythm.
Listen: “Rain King” – Counting Crows
47. “Heart of Gold” – Neil Young
Alt Text: Heart of Gold guitar chords diagram by Neil Young, timeless acoustic song.
Key: Em
Chords: Em7 – D – Em – G – C
Neil Young, like Bob Dylan and Tom Petty, had a gift for creating timeless music with simple chord progressions. “Heart of Gold” is a perfect example of this. Its gentle strumming and easy chord changes make it a beautiful and accessible song for acoustic guitar beginners.
Listen: “Heart of Gold” – Neil Young
48. “Polly” – Nirvana
Alt Text: Polly guitar chords diagram by Nirvana, straightforward acoustic Nirvana song.
Key: Em
Chords: Em – G – C – D – B♭
“Polly” is a more subdued and straightforward acoustic song from Nirvana’s Nevermind album, showcasing a different side of the band. Its simple chord structure and moderate tempo make it a great choice for beginners wanting to explore Nirvana’s acoustic work.
Listen: “Polly” – Nirvana
49. “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” – The Proclaimers
Alt Text: I’m Gonna Be 500 Miles guitar chords diagram by The Proclaimers, staccato strumming acoustic song.
Key: E
Chords: E – A – B – C#m – F#m
“I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers is a fun and energetic song that provides an opportunity to practice a staccato style strumming pattern. This technique involves short, detached strums, adding a rhythmic bounce to your playing.
Listen: “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” – The Proclaimers
50. “3am” – Matchbox Twenty
Key: G
Chords: G – Cadd9 – D – Em
“3am” from Matchbox Twenty’s Yourself or Someone Like You album is a catchy and popular song that utilizes easy-to-play open chords on acoustic guitar. Its memorable melody and accessible chords make it a crowd-pleasing song to learn as a beginner.
Listen: “3AM” – Matchbox Twenty
51. “Simple Man” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Alt Text: Simple Man guitar chords diagram by Lynyrd Skynyrd, three chord acoustic masterpiece.
Key: C
Chords: C – G – Am
“Simple Man,” another three-chord masterpiece from Lynyrd Skynyrd, is a powerful and emotionally resonant song. While the recorded version features arpeggiated chords, strumming the chords works beautifully and makes it very approachable for beginner acoustic guitarists.
Listen: “Simple Man” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
52. “Wild Thing” – The Troggs
Key: A
Chords: A – D – E – G
No list of easy guitar songs would be complete without “Wild Thing” by The Troggs. For the most part, it’s a simple 1-4-5 chord progression, a fundamental building block in music. This classic rock anthem is incredibly easy to learn and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Listen: “Wild Thing” – The Troggs
Wrap Up: Keep the Music Playing
When you’re just starting out on guitar, learning songs right away is crucial. After all, the desire to play music is what inspired you to pick up the instrument in the first place! This list provides a diverse collection of songs designed to keep your learning process enjoyable and maintain your motivation to play acoustic guitar throughout your musical journey.
Once you feel ready to explore lead guitar playing, be sure to check out our Easy Guitar Solos lesson for beginner-friendly solos that will further expand your guitar skills.
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